The UWC movement was launched at the height of the Cold War by Kurt Hahn, a German educator. While the world was consolidating into two isolated blocks divided by ideology, Hahn realized the way to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past was to bring young leaders from around the world together to learn from and about each other. He believed that if young people from across the world truly understood each other and learned to appreciate their cultural, religious, racial, and historical differences, it would lay the groundwork for a more peaceful world.
Today, UWC has 17 schools and colleges on 4 continents, all dedicated to making education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
For more on the UWC movement and mission, see here.
UWC short courses are designed to bring the UWC education and mission to a wider audience. Think of them as shorter, more condensed versions of the UWC experience. UWC short courses are experiential and immersive experiences, bringing together 30 – 60 young people from different backgrounds.
For more on the UWC short courses, see here.
The course has been postponed to 2021, when it will continue to be held at the Waterford Kamhlaba UWC in eSwatini.
We are looking for participants aged 16 to 20 years from all over the world. Anyone who is eager to learn and help others is welcome to apply!
We especially looking for participants interested in development and leadership, who feel a sense of responsibility to help others, their community, and/or the world, especially when it comes to issues like inequality, the environment, and other global issues.
The course will be inspired by the UWC values, so we are looking for participants who are willing to explore and promote these, or similar, values.
Please fill out the application form. In addition to your contact information, you will need to complete five essay questions.
Applications are being reviewed and acceptances are sent out on a rolling basis. You should hear back about 2 – 3 weeks after you apply.
The course is facilitated by a diverse and professional team from around the world, most of whom are alumni of UWC schools or short courses themselves. In addition to academic expertise, they also have on-the-ground experience working in the field. Additionally, leaders of local NGOs will be invited to share their expertise.
For more on the team, see here.
The Short Course will be taught in English. Off-campus, eSwatini’s native language is Siswati, but one can get around easily using English.
eSwatini has a low level of crime compared to its neighbours and the campus is protected by 24 hour security. Further information can be found from the travel guidance of the British Foreign Office.
We recommend you buy tickets to and from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Participants should plan to arrive in Johannesburg on August 17th by 4pm and leave after 2pm on August 30th. We will coordinate pick-ups to and from the airport. Swazi students will be picked up and dropped off in Mbabane.